IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners could soon find themselves out of pocket, thanks to a new campaign by Cheshire East Council.

Community Wardens are to go undercover in the parks and streets looking for dog owners who do not clean up their pet’s mess.

Those caught by a warden will receive a fixed penalty notice of £50. Failure to pay can result in the owner being prosecuted and receiving a fine of up to £1,000.

Plain clothes officers will ensure the waste is removed and put in a litter bin or dog-waste bin. All undercover officers will carry identification cards.

Hotspots have been chosen where dog fouling is a particular problem.

Safety manager Tony Potts: “No-one likes to see dog waste in the street or in their local park. It’s not only unattractive, it poses a severe health risk, particularly to young children.

“There’s no excuse for the minority of dog owners who consistently fail to clear up their pet’s mess. We’ll fine those who ignore the warnings until the message gets through. We won’t allow dog fouling to spoil the environment.”